Boot systems and methods, and related devices

ABSTRACT

Boot systems and methods are provided. The boot system includes an IO (Input/Output) chip, a memory device, and a BIOS (Basic Input/Output System). The memory device is coupled to the IO chip, and includes at least a rescue OS (Operating System). The BIOS reads the rescue OS from the memory device via the IO chip, and boots an electronic device based on the rescue OS.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 12/437,249filed May 7, 2009, the entirety of which is incorporated by referenceherein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The disclosure relates generally to boot systems and methods, moreparticularly to boot systems and methods using an input/output chip ofan electronic device, and related devices.

2. Description of the Related Art

Generally, an OS (Operating System) must be in a data storage device,such as hard disc of a computer system. The OS includes hardware driversand applications used to boot the computer system, and providesfunctions when the computer system operates.

A recovery disc is always provided with a computer system. When thecomputer system has a malfunction, for example, the hard disk or OS ofthe computer is damaged, or files in the hard disk are infected withcomputer viruses, such that the computer system cannot boot or resultsin abnormal operation, the recovery disc can be used to boot thecomputer system, and recover the OS of the computer system. However, ifthe recovery disc is lost or a disc drive of the computer system cannotbe driven to read data of the recovery disc, the computer system cannotbe successfully recovered.

Additionally, in some conventional practices, a computer system may havea hard disk including multiple partitions or several hard disks. VariousOss can be stored in the respective partitions/hard disks. When an OS ofa specific partition/hard disk malfunctions, another partition/hard diskcan be switched to, and the computer system can be booted according tothe OS therein. However, in these conventional practices, additionalhard disk capacity is required to store the backup OS, thus increasingthe cost of the computer system.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Boot systems and methods and related boot devices are provided.

An embodiment of a boot system includes an IO (Input/Output) chip, amemory device, and a BIOS (Basic Input/Output System). The memory deviceis coupled to the IO chip, and includes at least a rescue OS (OperatingSystem). The BIOS reads the rescue OS from the memory device via the IOchip, and boots an electronic device based on the rescue OS.

In an embodiment of a boot method, a rescue OS is first read from amemory device via an IO chip. Then, an electronic device is booted basedon the rescue OS.

An embodiment of a boot device includes an IO chip and a memory device.The memory device is coupled to the IO chip, and includes at least arescue OS. The rescue OS in the memory device is read and executed viathe I/O chip, thus to boot an electronic device.

Boot systems and methods may take the form of a program code embodied ina tangible media. When the program code is loaded into and executed by amachine, the machine becomes an apparatus for practicing the disclosedmethod.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will become more fully understood by referring to thefollowing detailed description with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a bootsystem of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a bootdevice of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a boot method of theinvention; and

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of another embodiment of a boot method of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Boot systems and methods, and related boot devices are provided.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a bootsystem of the invention.

The boot system 1000 can be used in an electronic device, such as acomputer system. The boot system 1000 comprises a BIOS (BasicInput/Output System) 1100, a hard disk 1200, an IO (Input/Output) chip1300, and a memory device 1400. The BIOS 1100 is a firmware stored in aROM (Read Only Memory) on the motherboard of the computer system. TheBIOS 1100 can control basic input/output of the computer system,configure the computer system, and perform hardware tests and otherfunctions. The hard disk 1200 can comprise an original OS (OperatingSystem), and corresponding system files and applications (not shown inFIG. 1). The hard disk 1200 may be the master boot device of theelectronic device. That is, in general situations, the BIOS 1100 cancontrol the electronic device to boot from the hard disk 1200, and bootsthe electronic device according to the original OS in the hard disk1200. The IO chip 1300 and the memory device 1400 can be integrated as aboot device. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment ofa boot device of the invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the boot device 2000comprises the IO chip 1300 and the memory device 1400. The IO chip 1300may be a super IO or a keyboard controller. The memory device 1400 maybe a flash memory coupled to the IO chip 1300 via an interface 1500,such as a SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) NVM (Non-Volatile Memory)interface. It is understood that, the memory device 1400 is not limitedto any type of flash memory, and the interface between the IO chip 1300and the memory device 1400 may be variety based on the type of flashmemory. The above interface is an example of the application, and theinvention is not limited thereto. The memory device 1400 can comprise arescue OS 1410, a repair utility 1420, and/or drivers (not shown) forthe hardware of the electronic device. The rescue OS 1410 and the repairutility 1420 can be used to boot the electronic device. Related detailswill be discussed further in the following paragraphs.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a boot method of theinvention. The boot method can be used in an electronic device, such asa computer system.

In step S302, the rescue OS 1410 is read from the memory device 1400 viathe IO chip 1300. Then, in step S304, the rescue OS 1410 is executed toboot the electronic device.

It is noted that, as described, in general situations, the BIOS 1100controls the booting of the electronic device by the hard disk 1200.Therefore, when the hard disk 1200 cannot be detected by the BIOS 1100,the embodiment in FIG. 3 is performed. Additionally, in someembodiments, the boot system 1000 can further comprise a temperaturesensor to detect the temperature of the hard disk 1200. When thetemperature of the hard disk 1200 exceeds a predefined value, theembodiment in FIG. 3 is performed. Further, in some embodiments, theBIOS 1100 can provide a multi-boot menu. Users can select a location,such as the hard disk 1200 or the memory device 1400 to boot theelectronic device via the multi-boot menu. When the memory device 1400is selected, the embodiment in FIG. 3 is performed.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of another embodiment of a boot method of theinvention. The boot method can be used in an electronic device, such asa computer system.

In step S402, the rescue OS 1410 is read from the memory device 1400 viathe IO chip 1300. In step S404, the rescue OS 1410 is executed to bootthe electronic device.

Then, in step S406, the repair utility 1420 is read and executed fromthe memory device 1400 via the IO chip 1300, thus to check and/or repairthe hard disk 1200. It is understood that, in some embodiments, therepair utility 1420 can check at least one system file in the hard disk1200, and repair the system file. It is noted that, in some cases, thedrivers for the hardware of the electronic device in the memory device1400 can be also read and reinstalled. In some embodiments, when therepair utility 1420 is executed, the repair utility 1420 can connect toa server via a network according to a predefined URL (Uniform ResourceLocator). The server can be set up and maintained by a manufacturer ofthe electronic device. The server can perform on-line virus scan and/orsystem repair for the electronic device via the network.

When the check and/or repair is completed, in step S408, the checkresult of the hard disk 1200 is stored, displayed via a display unit(not shown) of the electronic device, and/or transmitted to the servercorresponding to the manufacture of the electronic device via thenetwork. It is understood that, the check result may be related todetails of actions performed by the repair utility 1420, the check andrepair result of the system file, and/or notices for users when therepair of the hard disk 1200 cannot be completed. Users can view therelated information of the repair when they see the check result. Whenthe manufacture receives the check result from users via the server, thecheck result can be recorded, and/or related utilities or materialsrequired for repair can be prepared in advance, thereby speeding up therepair procedure. In some embodiments, when the system repair for thehard disk 1200 is completed, the BIOS 1100 can reboot the electronicdevice according to the original OS in the hard disk 1200.

It is understood that, similarly, in some embodiments, when the harddisk 1200 cannot be detected by the BIOS 1100, the embodiment in FIG. 4is performed. Additionally, in some embodiments, the boot system 1000can further comprise a temperature sensor to detect the temperature ofthe hard disk 1200. When the temperature of the hard disk 1200 exceeds apredefined value, the embodiment in FIG. 4 is performed. Further, insome embodiments, the BIOS 1100 can provide a multi-boot menu. Users canselect a location, such as the hard disk 1200 or the memory device 1400to boot the electronic device via the multi-boot menu. When the memorydevice 1400 is selected, the embodiment in FIG. 4 is performed.

Therefore, the boot systems and methods can directly boot an electronicdevice using a memory device coupled to an IO chip of the electronicdevice. Since the IO chip is a necessary component of the electronicdevice, such as the computer system, the cost for preparing a recoverydisc or adding capacity to a hard disk required for system recovery inconventional practices can be reduced. Additionally, the response andrepair time can be shortened when users face computer malfunctions, thusincreasing satisfaction of users.

Boot systems and methods, or certain aspects or portions thereof, maytake the form of a program code (i.e., executable instructions) embodiedin tangible media, such as floppy diskettes, CD-ROMS, hard drives, orany other machine-readable storage medium, wherein, when the programcode is loaded into and executed by a machine, such as a computer, themachine thereby becomes an apparatus for practicing the methods. Themethods may also be embodied in the form of a program code transmittedover some transmission medium, such as electrical wiring or cabling,through fiber optics, or via any other form of transmission, wherein,when the program code is received and loaded into and executed by amachine, such as a computer, the machine becomes an apparatus forpracticing the disclosed methods. When implemented on a general-purposeprocessor, the program code combines with the processor to provide aunique apparatus that operates analogously to a specific logic circuit.

While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms ofpreferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited thereto. Those who are skilled in this technology can still makevarious alterations and modifications without departing from the scopeand spirit of this invention. Therefore, the scope of the presentinvention shall be defined and protected by the following claims andtheir equivalents.

1. A system for use in an electronic device, comprising: an IO(Input/Output) chip; a first storage device coupled to the IO chip,comprising at least a OS(operation system); a temperature sensor fordetecting a temperature of a second storage device; a BIOS (BasicInput/Output System), wherein, when the temperature of second storagedevice exceeds a predefined value, the BIOS reads the OS from the firststorage device via the IO chip and performs an action based on the OS.2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first storage device is a harddisk, a solid state disk, a memory or a combination thereof.
 3. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the second storage device is a hard disk, asolid state disk, a memory or a combination thereof.
 4. The system ofclaim 1, further comprising a repair utility, the OS further reads andexecutes the repair utility to check the second storage device.
 5. Thesystem of claim 4, wherein the repair utility further transmits a checkresult corresponding to the second storage device to a server via anetwork, or displays a check result corresponding to the second storagedevice on a display.
 6. The system of claim 4, wherein when the repairutility is executed, the repair utility checks at least one system filein the second storage device, and repairs the system file.
 7. The systemof claim 1, wherein the IO chip comprises a super IO or a keyboardcontroller.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the BIOS further comprisesa multi-boot menu used for selecting the first storage device, whereinwhen the first storage device is selected, the BIOS reads the OS fromthe first storage device via the IO chip, and boots the electronicdevice based on the OS.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the actioncomprises booting the electronic device.
 10. A method for use in anelectronic device, comprising: detecting a temperature of a firststorage device of the electronic device; when the temperature exceeds apredefined value, reading a program from a second storage device via anIO (Input/Output) chip, and performs an action based on the program. 11.The method of claim 10, wherein the action comprises booting theelectronic device.
 12. The method of claim 10, further comprisingreading and executing a repair utility from the second storage device tocheck a first storage device of the electronic device.
 13. The method ofclaim 12, further comprising storing a check result corresponding to thefirst storage device by the repair utility.
 14. The method of claim 12,further comprising transmitting a check result corresponding to thefirst storage device to a server via a network by the repair utility.15. The method of claim 12, further comprising displaying a check resultcorresponding to the first storage via a display unit of the electronicdevice by the repair utility.
 16. The method of claim 12, furthercomprising checking at least one system file in the first storagedevice, and repairing the system file by the repair utility.
 17. Themethod of claim 12, further comprising connecting to a server via anetwork by the repair utility; performing an on-line virus scan or asystem repair by the server via the network; and rebooting theelectronic device based on an original OS in the first storage devicewhen the system repair corresponding to the first storage device iscompleted.
 18. A device, comprising: an IO (Input/Output) chip; a firststorage device, coupled to the IO chip, wherein the first storage devicecomprises a program; a processor, configured to perform an action byreading the program from the first storage device, when a temperature ofa second storage device of an electronic device exceeds a predefinedvalue.
 19. The device of claim 18, wherein the action comprises bootingthe electronic device.
 20. The device of claim 18, wherein the firststorage device is hard disk, solid state disk, memory or combinationthereof, and the second storage device is hard disk, solid state disk,memory or combination thereof.